Former University of Minnesota heavyweight wrestler Cole Konrad won his mixed martial arts debut over the weekend in Fargo, N.D.

Konrad was competing on a M.A.X. card against fellow heavyweight Gary Hamen. Konrad finished the fight in the first round, winning by "polar-bear choke." The polar-bear choke looks a little like a rear-naked choke, but it's done while facing your opponent and turning his head. There are a few photos out there of the choke.

Konrad's pedigree is similar to Brock Lesnar's in that he's a former University of Minnesota national heavyweight wrestling champion who tried out for the NFL and has to cut weight to make the heavyweight (265 pounds) MMA class.

Many are calling Konrad the best heavyweight prospect not currently in the UFC. He regularly trains with Lesnar and fellow UFC heavyweight Chris Tuchscherer. Lesnar, Tuchscherer and former Gophers assistant wrestling coach Marty Morgan were all in Konrad's corner over the weekend.

On a personal note, when Konrad defeated Steve Mocco for the first time at the National Duals years ago, it was one of my favorite wrestling moments of all time! Just amazing ... gave me goose bumps.

I caught up with Travis Wiuff last week, and I asked him about Konrad. His first thought ... he wouldn't want to fight him. Wiuff said Konrad has no problem taking both him and Lesnar down in the wrestling, and that makes him dangerous to any heavyweight, since those are two former All-Americans.